AHA magazine Sep-Dec 2016 by Yishun Health

Mita (P) 147/08/2003 Co. Reg. No. 52929306D

Alexandra Health

SEP-DEC

2016

A L E X A N D R A

H E A L T H

I N

A C T I O N

Bringing specialist care closer to you!

At the Topping Out Ceremony in September, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister of Transport and MP for Sembawang GRC, described Kampung Admiralty as being a modern kampung, as it will have modern facilities while retaining the old world charm of a kampung.

The medical centre will take up two floors of Kampung Admiralty, a mixed development that integrates healthcare, community wellness and elder living in the heart of Admiralty.

It will house Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first automated bicycle parking system, providing secure and convenient storage to over 500 bicycles. Other facilities will include a childcare centre, Active Ageing Hub and studio apartments for the elderly.

Admiralty Medical Centre on track to open in 2017 esidents in Woodlands and Admiralty will have easier access to specialist diabetes care and day surgery services when Admiralty Medical Centre (AdMC) opens in 2017.

Touching Lives, Pioneering Care, Making a Difference

AdMC will provide day surgery and treatment for a range of conditions including:

Cataract Removal

Colonoscopy

Diabetes

Hand Surgery

Hearing Loss

A longan tree was raised to the rooftop garden during the Topping Out Ceremony. It will be one of several species of native fruit trees that will be planted at AdMC.

Escaping a world of silence Patient motivation is key to success A cochlear implant is not an instant cure for hearing loss as patients need to undergo several months of rehabilitation with the audiologist. “When the cochlear implant is first turned on, the patient usually says that the sounds are not natural and describes them as ‘robotic,’ ” says Ms Heng Yih Meei, Principal Audiologist, ENT, KTPH.

Mdm Rohanah can now talk to her husband by combining lip reading with listening with the cochlear implant.

Technology brings hope and hearing to deaf mother of three

Worried that she would never hear again, Mr Zainal sought medical advice.

In June 2016, Madam Rohanah Bte Nordin’s world was plunged into silence.

Tests at the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital showed that the infections had left scar tissue which had blocked her inner ear.

The 50-year-old housewife, who was already deaf in her right ear, suffered a series of infections in her left ear which caused sudden and severe hearing loss. “I felt very sad and depressed,” recalls the mother of three sons. “I didn’t dare go out of the house alone and I cried every day.”

“Unfortunately there was nothing we could do to help restore hearing in Mdm Rohanah’s left ear so we switched our attention to her right ear to try to find a solution,” says Dr Annabelle Leong, Consultant ENT surgeon with a specialist interest in hearing loss.

“Before she lost all her hearing, I remember we used to chit-chat and I would call her twice a day to talk when I am working,” Mr Zainal Bin Osman, her husband, reminisces. “But when she lost her hearing, I could only text her.”

Nine years earlier, Mdm Rohanah had undergone unsuccessful surgery in another hospital on her right ear to repair a damaged eardrum. She had been deaf in her right ear ever since, but modern technology now offered her a ray of hope.

“During speech therapy sessions, patients learn to adapt to the new sound signals and then combine lip reading with listening with the cochlear implant. Over time, the brain learns to recognise and familiarise with environmental sounds and the sounds gradually become more natural in quality.” During each rehabilitation session, the audiologist also fine-tunes the signals transmitted by the implant to optimise the sounds that patients hear. Ms Heng says that patient motivation and family support and commitment are the key ingredients for success. Listening, speech and language are learnt through daily exposure and interaction. “The more patients practise with their loved ones, the faster the brain learns to recognise different sounds and words, resulting in improved hearing.”

How a cochlear implant works

1. Sound processor behind ear picks up sounds and converts them into digital code.

1 3

2. The digitally coded sound is transmitted to the implant under the skin.

3. Implant converts the digitally coded sound to electrical signals and these are sent to the cochlea in the ear via a special silicon covered wire (electrode array).

4. The electrical signals stimulate the hearing nerve which transmits sound to the brain. The right ear was found to be suitable for a cochlear implant. This is a medical device that is surgically inserted into the inner ear (cochlea) to help people who are deaf or very hard of hearing sense sound again. Standard hearing aids do not usually benefit patients with such poor hearing. “A cochlear implant does the work of the damaged inner ear, generating electrical signals that stimulate the hearing (auditory) nerve to transmit sound to the brain,” explains Dr Leong. Madam Rohanah went for her cochlear implant surgery in September 2016. She became emotional when it was turned on and she heard sound again in her right ear for the first time in many years. Mdm Rohanah now comes back to the hospital every two to four weeks

for hearing rehabilitation (specialised speech therapy) and will continue to do so for the next three to six months. So far, her progress has been very encouraging and is expected to further improve.

“I miss hearing the normal voices of my husband and my sons. I can now communicate with them helped by my cochlear implant but I really hope one day to hear their voices like I used to before I lost my hearing,” Mdm Rohanah says.

Helping needy patients to manage costs A cochlear implant alone costs about $30,000 and is not claimable under Medisave. The surgery costs an additional $4,000. Despite this, Mdm Rohanah only paid $1,500 out-of-pocket after deductions from medical insurance, various government

subsidies and Medisave for the surgery. Patients who need extra support may also qualify for assistance from the Alexandra Health Hearing Implant Fund, which provides financial support to needy patients with hearing loss.

AHS clinicians recognised for their exceptional contributions Two of our clinicians, Professor C Rajasoorya and Professor Sum Chee Fang were recently lauded with the inaugural Distinguished Senior Clinician Award. This award, given by the Ministry of Health, recognises veteran doctors or surgeons for their contributions in clinical, education and research practice.

Inspirational teacher almost pursued a career in bionics! Prof C Rajasoorya is a Senior Consultant, Department of General Medicine and Education Director for the Education Development Office. He has served in public and restructured hospitals for the past 35 years. Surprisingly, it was an American television programme that inspired Prof Raja to go into Medicine. Growing up, he enjoyed watching the Six Million Dollar Man and wanted to pursue a career in bionics. So he planned to study Medicine followed by a degree in engineering. Some of Singapore’s pioneer physicians trained and mentored him while he was a medical student and junior doctor. They instilled in him a love of clinical medicine and he shelved his plans to pursue bionics. Prof Raja went to the University of Auckland in New Zealand for his Fellowship with the intent of subspecialising in diabetes. But when he arrived he was offered a research project on acromegaly instead - a condition that presents with symptoms associated with excess growth hormone. Five previous Fellows had

Prof Raja has helped me to enjoy internal medicine for the first time. He teaches us that we not only learn from tutors, but from every single patient – every patient has something to teach us, and this learning never ends. Carolyn Bala, Final Year Medical Student, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

failed to complete the project so Prof Rajasoorya took up the challenge, applied his clinical and computing skills and succeeded. Prof Raja went on to achieve international recognition in the field of hypothalmo-pituitary and adrenal disease. Despite his success, Prof Raja has remained committed to public healthcare and our organisation since he joined Alexandra Hospital as a Registrar in 1987. His pursuit of clinical excellence and patient care has earned him the respect of both staff and patients. For the past 12 years, he has focused on patient care and his other passion – medical education. Many of our senior physicians have benefited from

Prof Raja’s guidance. He continues to share the art and science of Medicine with today’s medical students and junior doctors who will become the leaders of tomorrow.

Professor C Rajasoorya •

Published more than 60 research papers

•

Editor of the Singapore Medical Journal for several years

•

Chairman of the Medical Board in Alexandra Hospital (2000-2004)

•

Winner of the Ministry of Health’s inaugural National Outstanding Clinician Educator Award

Associate Professor Sum Chee Fang •

Known in SGH as ‘the doctor who never goes home’ due to his dedication to his patients and profession, a trait that continues till today

•

Published his first research paper in the British Medical Journal in 1988

•

Has published more than 70 papers to his name over the past 30 years

•

Served in several professional bodies including the College of Physicians and the Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore.

The ‘doctor who never goes home’ inspires those who have worked with him A/Prof Sum is an Endocrinologist and Senior Consultant in the Department of Medicine. His name is synonymous with diabetes management and research in Singapore and his caring reputation precedes him. A/Prof Sum learnt the art of medicine from observing senior physicians while working at

Singapore General Hospital (SGH). His mentors also sparked A/Prof Sum’s life-long interest in research by posing questions. He and his fellow registrars would spend hours in the library, digging through journals to find answers. A/Prof Sum ran a successful private practice for 7 years in Gleneagles Hospital. A few years later, Prof Raja succeeded in bringing A/Prof Sum back into public healthcare, and he joined Alexandra Hospital (AH) in 2001. With his expertise on diabetes care, research track record and

A/Prof Sum took me on 1-to-1 tutorials in preparation for my Endocrine AST exit exams – with great patience and wisdom. I was struggling as I had just given birth to my second son and was getting little sleep so I wanted to defer the exams, but with his encouragement I persevered and succeeded. He is one who truly believes in leading by example – he’s a good leader and mentor to all who’ve had the privilege of working with him. Dr Ester Yeoh, Consultant Endocrinologist, KTPH

encouraging leadership style, the multi-disciplinary diabetes centre he set up in AH attracted healthcare professionals who shared his vision of holistic patient care. Over the years the team has grown in size and expertise. But A/Prof Sum’s influence on diabetes management has extended beyond our organisation, chairing national committees in the fight against diabetes. Despite his many responsibilities, he continues to make time to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of healthcare professionals. He currently teaches both medical and nursing students. In April this year, A/Prof Sum handed over the leadership of the Diabetes Centre to Prof Tavin. The seamless transition is a testament to A/Prof Sum’s leadership and dedication to his team.

One-in-a-million clinician and mentor Associate Professor Pang Weng Sun is this year’s recipient of Singapore’s highest teaching accolade – the National Outstanding Clinician Educator Award. A caring clinician, whom colleagues describe as “one-in-a-million”, A/Prof Pang is a passionate teacher who nurtures the human touch in those he teaches. The Senior Consultant Geriatrician is currently Chairman, Medical Board, Yishun Community Hospital, Executive Director of the Geriatric Education and Research Institute, and Vice-Dean, Clinical Affairs, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University. A/Prof Pang has dedicated his career to developing medical services to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing society. A pioneer in the fields of geriatric and palliative medicine, he is one of the founding practitioners who built,

shaped and developed the training of both specialties and services. Besides impacting service development in the community, especially community hospitals and nursing homes, A/Prof Pang also taught extensively in both geriatric and palliative medicine for community hospitals and nursing staff, including doctors and nurses. A/Prof Pang had been a great role model to many clinicians, medical students and senior doctors alike, and he continues to be a mentor to many. He spends time and effort to teach, advise, coach and counsel individual doctors, inspiring many to become better doctors, exemplary in both clinical capabilities and character.

Associate Professor Pang Weng Sun •

Chairman of the Geriatric Medicine Resident Advisory Committee

•

Involved in setting up the Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine in NUS in the 90s

•

Assisted in teaching the doctors’ course in Palliative Medicine (started by Hospice Care Association)

•

Developed hospital-based palliative care services at Tan Tock Seng Hospital

•

Winner of Outstanding Doctor of the Year Award (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) in 1998, the Healthcare Humanity Award in 2005, Public Administration Silver Medal in 2012 and Singapore Medical Association Merit Award in 2014

Prof Pang is a great role model to many junior doctors. His empathy towards patients is infectious and his patience with them is exemplary. Many of us have been impacted by his mentorship and guidance. Dr Terence Tang Head & Senior Consultant, Dept of Geriatric Medicine, KTPH

Cheaper, faster, winning care!

KTPH project to make cataract surgery faster and cheaper for patients (featured in previous issue) has won an inaugural National Healthcare Innovation & Productivity Medal 2016.

The team received the award from Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health at the National Seminar on Productivity in Healthcare 2016. The award-winning project focuses on nurse-led peri-operative care for cataract surgery patients who have the procedure under topical anaesthesia. This is a three year collaborative project by the hospital’s Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Anaesthesia and Nursing Departments. Selected patients can now

undergo cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia (using eye drops to numb the eye) and are monitored by a trained nurse instead of an anaesthetist. This frees

up the anaesthetist to focus on more complex cases, reduces patient bill size by 12% and waiting time for surgery by approximately 2 weeks.

The system consists of an oximeter — a medical device that monitors the oxygen saturation of a patient’s blood — that is linked to a smart phone. The smart phone is worn on the arm of a patient with or unaware of OSA for a sleep test at home. The system can automatically alert the patient, next-ofkin and/or relevant clinicians locally or remotely in real-time when the oxygen reading in the blood (SpO2) is below a critical level.

Easier sleep test with new mobile app

bstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder characterised by repetitive episodes of breathing cessation due to upper airway obstruction during sleep. The gold standard test to confirm OSA is an overnight sleep study, also known

as a polysomnography. This test is expensive, uncomfortable, difficult to interpret and labour-intensive. So, a team from KTPH set out to leverage smartphone technology to design a convenient and accurate sleep apnoea testing device.

This user-friendly and automated mobile system has the potential to reduce healthcare cost and enhance patient safety. Its commercial potential is promising although future clinical studies are required. Developed by Dr Edwin Seet (Head and Senior Consultant) and Dr Tan Leng Zoo (Consultant) from Anaesthesia, as well as Dr Daniel Chia of the Transformation Office, this innovation clinched the third prize at the International Anaesthesia and Sleep Conference held in Chicago from 20-21 October 2016.

Diabetes: Live well, Cope well, Love life!

CMY

r Tamotharan, or Mr Tamo as he prefers, is a living example of successful diabetes management. The 73-year-old was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when he was 40 years old. He was initially very worried, “My parents had diabetes and I saw them suffering,” he recalls. However, he did not let the diagnosis bring him down, on the contrary, it spurred him to find out more about the disease and how to manage it. From day one, Mr Tamo has taken his medication regularly and managed his diet carefully. He rattles off, “Less sugar, no soft drinks. Lots of veggies and a little bit of rice.” He also monitors his blood sugar at regular intervals throughout the day, taking measures to control hyper- and

hypoglycaemic episodes (high and low blood sugar levels). His effort and diligence have paid off and he has been living with diabetes for 33 years without complications. The sprightly senior still leads an active lifestyle, making it a point to walk for half an hour every day, a tradition he has maintained since his diagnosis. By sharing his story, Mr Tamo hopes it will inspire other people with diabetes to live well, cope well, and love life!

You must first understand and learn how diabetes works, only then will you know how to control the disease. You must take care of yourself, if not who is going to take care of you? Mr Tamotharan, 73

6 Antibiotic Use Smart Facts about 6 Antibiotic Use Smart Facts about

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives since penicillin was discovered in 1928. But over-use has resulted in antibiotic resistance, making it more difficult to treat serious health problems such as tuberculosis, wound infections and pneumonia. Do your part to reduce antibiotic resistance – use antibiotics wisely!

Antibiotics only treat BACTERIAL infections Antibiotics are LIFE-SAVING drugs

Green coloured mucus is NOT a sign that an antibiotic is needed

Most sore throats DO NOT require an antibiotic

Some ear infections DO NOT require an antibiotic

Allergy

SomeDiarrhoea ear infections DO NOTRash require an antibiotic There are potential RISKS when taking any Allergydrug prescription Diarrhoea Rash

PREVENTION is better than cure!

Green coloured mucus Ask your doctor about vaccination. There are potential is NOT a sign that an RISKS when taking any from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 6 Smart Facts about Antibiotics Use Advisory antibiotic isAdapted needed prescription drug

PREVENTION is better than cure! Ask your doctor about vaccination. Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 6 Smart Facts about Antibiotics Use Advisory

Know your supplements This is the first in a four-part series on supplements, brought to you by KTPH Pharmacy. Look out for the feature on Glucosamine in our next edition!

What is it for?

It is used to treat irondeficient anemia or low iron stores in the body.

How is it taken?

Take iron tablets on an empty stomach. However, you may take it with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What should you look out for?

Common side effects include constipation, darkening of stools, nausea/vomiting, stomach pain.

Try including these in your diet! Chicken

1.0 mg of iron per 90g Brown Rice

0.9 mg of iron per cup

Fish

1.0 mg of iron per 50g Green leafy vegetables

2.0 mg of iron per half cup

Egg

0.7 mg per medium sized egg Firm tofu

2.7 mg of iron per 90g

When should you stop? Treatment usually lasts for 3 to 6 months after anemia is corrected to completely replenish iron stores.

Where else can you get it from?

Beef or other red meats, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Recommended Dietary Allowance For Normal Healthy People Age

Male

Female

18-60 years old

6mg

19mg

> 60 years old

6mg

Creating kampung care and camaradarie

ellness Kampung is for the community, for our residents. This initiative aims to enable a support network for residents to inspire each other to adopt healthier lifestyles, in a closeknit “kampung” setting.” Dr Wong Sweet Fun, Chief Transformation Officer of AHS shared this in her speech at the official opening of Wellness Kampung on 15 September 2016. Wellness Kampung, an initiative comprising three wellness and care centres for residents in the north, was launched in partnership with St Luke’s ElderCare

and Nee Soon GRC and is a fruit of Alexandra Health System’s (AHS) vision to shift healthcare beyond the walls of the hospital and into the community.

Wellness Kampung

The centres were officially opened by A/Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, MP for Nee Soon GRC (Nee Soon Central).

The three Wellness Kampungs are located at:

Mdm Zauridah Binte Suboh, 42, a volunteer at Wellness Kampung @ 765 Yishun Central told AHS, “The centre allows me to meet new friends and take part in activities not usually available to me. By becoming a volunteer, I hope to contribute back and make a difference to the lives of the elderly residents here.”

They are open from 8.30am to 5.00pm from Mondays to Fridays.

• Nee Soon Central Block 765 • Nee Soon East Block 260 • Chong Pang Block 115

Activities at Wellness Kampung Physical Activities: Daily group exercise (Low Impact Aerobics, Qi Gong, Zumba, Theraband) Social Activities: • Art and craft sessions • Basic English • Calligraphy • Chess • Community gardening • Computer Class • Quilt Blankets • Social Dance • Singing Health Literacy and Intervention Activities: • Community nurse posts and free health screening • Health literacy talks • Share-A-Pot programme (see next page for more information) • Weekly cooking class

A 'souper' way to nourish the body and soul It is founded on the principles of good nutrition, working hand-in-hand with physical activity in a social environment to “build bones, brawn (muscle), brain (cognitive reserve) and bonds.”

very Wednesday afternoon, a delicious smell of soup wafts from the kitchen of Wellness Kampung @765, while a group of elderly folks engage in various exercises. This is the weekly Share-A-Pot progamme, a community-based project that hopes to improve the nutrition and health of community-dwelling seniors.

Vulnerable seniors in the neighbourhood are identified and encouraged to drop in at these sites for a hearty bowl of soup (high in protein and calcium). Before or after doing so, they are encouraged to participate in physical activity of sufficient intensity. Exercise is known to stimulate a prolonged increase in muscle synthesis for as long as 24 hours after. It has also been shown to be effective to reduce the risk of dementia, and can improve the quality of life for people, including elderly with dementia. These activities are held in social spaces for them to linger on to chit chat or engage in leisure activities. Participants will be registered with the centre to form an informal social security

network. In the event that a regular does not turn up, concerned neighbours and friends can keep a look-out for them and extend assistance. They will also have preliminary and regular periodic physical, functional and psycho-social assessments. Any decline can be picked up for early attention and intervention. In collaboration with community partners, Alexandra Health (AHS) initiated Share-A-Pot since September 2014. As of 31 Aug 2016, thirteen sites are active, with 830 registered and about 500 regular seniors. Ultimately, Share-A-Pot hopes to kindle a sense of community and create local communities that give and receive. We invite both participants and volunteers to join us at our ShareA-Pot sessions! Please contact shareapot@alexandrahealth.com.sg for more information.

Share-A-Pot Sessions 时间表 Mon

NTUC SilverCOVE 180A Marsiling Road #01-2208 (S)731180 6250 3634

Woodgrove Zone 1 RC 521 Woodlands Drive 14 #01-349 S(730521) 6894 5890 (Start Date TBC)

Wed

Wellness Kampung @ 115 115 Yishun Ring Road #01-495 (S)760115 6257 4702

Agape Village 7A Lorong 8 Toa Payoh #04-01 (S)319264 6801 7400

Wellness Kampung @ 765 765 Yishun Street 72 #01-366 (S)760765 6257 4842

Thu

Singapore Anglican Community Services @ Floral Spring 426A Yishun Ave 11 #01-74 (S)761426 6257 2588

All Saints Home (Yishun) 551 Yishun Ring Road (S)768681 6351 1400

Kranji Sec with Limbang CCC @ Yew Tee CC* Covenant Evangelical Free 20 Chua Chu Kang Street 52 #04-09 Church (Woodlands) (S)689286 6765 8611 90 Woodlands Drive 16 (Taking a break! Restarting in March 2017) S(737878) 9842 8275

Fri

Wellness Kampung @ 260 260 Yishun Street 22 #01-87 (S)760260 6257 4802

Sat

Tue

Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) 12 Yishun Ave 5 (S)768992 6752 1785

Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea 10 Yishun St 22 (S)768579 6257 4229

Church of St. Vincent de Paul 301 Yio Chu Kang Rd S(805910) 9747 1752 (Start Date TBC)

Information is correct as at print (Dec 2016) 印刷时信息准确 (2016年12月) * Alternate weeks

Pre-registration is not required. 无需预先报名就可参加。 Visit any Share-A-Pot session for the first time & get a free pedometer! 首次参加即可免费获得计步器! We are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please contact the individual sites. 有兴趣当义工可联络以上中心。

Fish Bone Noodle Soup 100g salted vegetables

3 stalks of spring onion

1 small piece of ginger

2 tomatoes

2-3 pieces of preserved plums

1 packet of tofu

1 chilli

1 packet of rice noodles (dry thin bee hoon)

1kg of chopped fish trimmings, bones and head

1 soup spoon of white vinegar

Tip: Adding vinegar helps calcium leach out from the chicken bones!

Method

Tip: Adding vinegar helps

calcium leach out from Chemical Equation: CaCOthe + 3 chicken bones, fortifying 2CH COOH > (CH COO)2Ca + 3 3 CO + H2O the soup! 2

FISH BONE NOO Ingredients

DLE SOUP

Quantity Chopitpe d fish trtoim is enough submerge 1 Boil water in a pot, ensure ming, all the ingredients. bones and head 5 kg 2 Cut up salted vegetables into bite-sized portions. Soak and set aside. Ginger 2 chunks 3 Soak rice noodles. Set aside. Spring Onion 15 stalks 4 Cut ginger into thin slices. Salted Vegetables 500 g bones into small chunks. 5 Thaw and wash and cut fish To mwith atoean s air fryer until light golden Fry fish bones and sliced ginger 10 pcs Preserved plums brown. 0.5 bottle cubes, fu dice spring onion. Set aside. 6 Chop tomatoes into bite-sizedTo 4 packets Rice nothe odle s (dry thinexcept tofu and rice ingredients 7 Once water boils, put in all 1- 2 packets bee hoon) noodles. Chilllow i heat and simmer for 2 hours. 8 Bring to a boil for 20 min. Turn to 1 bunch Pe ppAdd er Slice tofu into bite-sized cubes. tofu into soup 20 min before 9 serving. White Vinegar 1 soup spoon 10 Boil rice noodles in a separate pot for 10 min. Remove noodles and soak briefly in cold water. Portion rice noodles into bowls. M ethod 1 Bo il wa te in a and pot,pepper ensuretoit taste. 11 Skim off excess oil and season withr salt is enough and soya sauce. 12 Serve soup with 2rice noodles, Cut upcut sachilli lted ve

in calcium and protein. Consuming protein after Estimated Cost pe r Bowl: $1exercise .30 boosts muscle synthesis and recovery while high calcium intake is associated with lower risk to submerge all oftsfractures! the ingredien

getables into bit

Soak rice noodle

Cut ginger into th

s. Set aside. in slices.

Serving Size: This soup recipe is rich 30 Bowls

e-sized portions.

Soak and set aside

Living a good life to the very end

Three generations share a tender moment - (from left) Dr Chong’s grandmother, niece and brother.

t life’s final moments, what are the things that matter most? For a doctor who assists patients with end-of-life planning, taking photos of his family is his way of living a good life to the very end. “This photo was taken when my grandmother was in better health. I took the photo to remember what she was like, to remind myself that living well is capturing precious moments of the love and bonds in my family,” said Dr Chong Chern Hao, Associate Consultant from Woodlands Integrated Health Campus. Dr Chong’s photo was awarded the top entry in the Alexandra Health System Living Well Photo Contest held from

3 to 5 Oct to commemorate the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day held annually on 8 Oct 2016. To view the other photos contributed by healthcare professionals from Alexandra Health System and community partners, please access the KTPH Facebook page photo album. The global art project, Before I die was also exhibited at the KTPH Main Lobby from 22 to 29 Oct. A group of NUS medical and nursing students had set up chalkboards to allow visitors, patients and their families to write down their wishes before they die. The art exhibition and photo contest were organised by the Alexandra Health System Advance Care Planning Team.

The multidisciplinary group of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and administrators was formed in January 2013 to help patients and their families live a good life to the very end.

Workshops on palliative care and Advance Care Planning are held frequently for healthcare professionals and volunteers. If you are keen to join us, please email us at ktph. advancecareplanning@ alexandrahealth.com.sg

Helping hands, safer homes

pproximately 350 befrienders from the Mosque Befrienders Scheme attended the MUIS’ Befrienders Learning Day at the Singapore Expo. The event aimed to help befrienders be more effective in approaching needy zakat (tithe) recipients. The interactive “Learning through Experience” session was jointly organised by HPB, KTPH, Club Heal and the Muslim Health Professionals Association (MPHA). As part of its involvement, a group of KTPH staff, including nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists taught these befrienders what to do during home visits to the needy. They shared on three main topics — Assisted Daily Living, Usage

Participants watching demonstrations on transfers techniques and learning the proper use of wheelchairs and walking aids.

of wheelchairs and walking aids, and Home safety. Participants learnt about redesigned items for daily activities (e.g. use of bendable spoons, redesigned mugs, magnifier, etc.), watched

demonstrations on the use of wheelchairs and walking aids, and received basic training on transfer techniques. They were also given a basic introduction to home safety such as grab bars, non-slip solutions etc.

Preparing for times of crisis

ith terrorist attacks happening with increasing frequency all over the world, Singapore needs to remain vigilant and prepared for times of crisis. As a healthcare institution, we must be ready to handle such situations should they arise. Some 1600 staff members across various departments of KTPH rallied together to go through a simulated

As a public hospital, it is everyone’s responsibility to remain responsive and steadfast. Our duty is to serve especially in moments when our nation is in crisis. This exercise was a demonstration of AHS’ commitment. Yen Tan, Chief Operations Officer, KTPH

bomb attack to ensure the hospital is well prepared for civil emergencies. The Kingfisher Exercise held on 15 October 2016 was a culmination of months of practice drills and dry runs. Staff geared up in hazmat suits braved the blazing heat to ‘decontaminate’ casualties, while doctors and ward staff assessed patients for discharge or transfer to create space for casualties.

Serving the nation through Healthcare Congratulations to recipients of the National Day Award 2016

he Singapore National Day Awards are a means of recognising various forms of merit and service to Singapore. This year, two AHS board members and 20 AHS staff were recipients of this distinguished award. We would like to thank them for their significant contributions to our nation.

The Public Service Medal

The Long Service Medal

Mr Anthony Seah Board Member, AHS

Mr Abdul Jamal Bin Yahaya Senior Staff Nurse, ICU 2 (Surgical)

The Commendation Medal (Military) Mr Tan Boon Khai Board Member, AHS

The Public Administration Medal (Bronze)and The Long Service Medal Dr Wong Sweet Fun Chief Transformation Officer, Hospital Administration

The Public Administration Medal (Bronze) (Military) A/Prof Kenneth Mak Senior Consultant, General Surgery

The Commendation Medal Mr Donald Wai Director, Hospital Planning

The Efficiency Medal

Dr Azman JohanSenior Consultant, Respiratory Medicine Dr Chan Keen Loong Head & Senior Consultant, Psychological Medicine Ms Hamidah Bte Abdul Hamid Senior Staff Nurse, Home Care Service Ms Hasmah Bte Tomin Senior Staff Nurse, Ward B105 Mr Jamal Bin Rashid Senior Staff Nurse, Geriatric Outpatient Clinic Ms Kamisah Bte Hassan Assistant Nurse Clinician, Day Surgery Centre

Ms Lilian Eileen Cheah Nurse Manager, Ward D87

Ms Lau Bee Leng Senior Supervisor, Customer Contact Centre

Ms Foo Tock Cheng Senior Patient Service Associate, Dental Clinic

Ms Lim Siew Khim Senior Staff Nurse, Medical Records Office

Dr Lim Tow Poh Senior Consultant, Urology A/Prof Lim Su Chi Senior Consultant, Diabetes Ms Mary Getrude Nurse Manager, Ward B75 Ms Norizah Bte Aziz Nurse Manager, Nursing Administration Ms Rosnah Bte Shahdan Senior Staff Nurse, Customer Contact Centre Ms Seow Geok Huay Assistant Nurse Clinician, Ward B95 Ms Tan Soon Kiow Principal Assistant Nurse, ICU 1 (CCU)

Sowing the seeds of health together

HS is committed to improving the health of residents in the north and this is only possible with support from grassroots organisations. Over the years, AHS has worked closely with the Nee Soon East Constituency on various events and platforms. Regular engagements include our Ageing in Place Community Care Team, Community Nurse Posts, Population health screening and health carnivals. In 2014 and 2015, Project Vision @ Nee Soon GRC, TriGenerational Homecare @ NorthWest

and Operation We Clean up were jointly organised by the two teams as well. In acknowledgement of our effort, Nee Soon East Citizens’ Consultative Committee (NSECCC) has nominated and conferred the People’s Association Community Spirit (PACS) Awards 2016 - Community Partnership (GRO) Merit Award to AHS. This is the second year AHS has received this award. This award is given to private or public organisations that have supported the

Overweight pumpkin steals the show!

n our health-promoting hospital, bigger is never better. Unless you’re a pumpkin grown on the rooftop garden, of course! Weighing 11kg with a circumference of almost 170cm, this gigantic pumpkin grown on KTPH’s rooftop garden recently picked up the first prize at the Community Garden Edibles 2016 competition. It

The ‘waist’ of the pumpkin is about two and a half times that of an average female waist!

was so heavy that a harness had to be constructed for it to be held up! At the same ceremony, KTPH was also awarded the Community in

Mrs Chew Kwee Tiang, CEO, KTPH receiving the PACS award from Grassroots Adviser Mr Louis Ng and CCC Chairman Mr Tan Meng, BBM.

grassroots organisations, constituency’s programmes and activities. It recognises organisations that have partnered PA in building greater social capital and supported their staff in their involvement in the grassroots movement.

Bloom Award for 2016! For attaining our third consecutive platinum banding, Chief Gardener Rosalind Tan received the Diamond Award on behalf of the hospital. Spearheaded by the National Parks, the Community in Bloom Awards is a biennial competition that hopes to promote and encourage the gardening movement by recognising and rewarding the efforts of community gardeners. Community gardens are split into four categories by location — public housing estates, private housing estates, educational institutions and organisations — and judged on Community Involvement, Garden Quality, and Environment Quality and Biodiversity. KTPH would like to thank all the volunteer gardeners for all the hard work put into tending the rooftop garden and congratulate them on achieving these awards!

Mrs Rosalind Tan receives the Diamond award from Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Development & Services Cluster and Director Mr Tan Chong Lee during the Community in Bloom award ceremony on 31 July 2016. Credit: Singapore Garden Festival

Wishing You a Happy & Healthy Christmas Wine 2841

Candy Cane

150 ml / 125 kcal

2 sticks / 100 kcal

2273

BUS STOPS

Fruit Cake 11

BUS STOPS

Deli Ham

1 slice / 239 kcal

5432

2 slices / 60 kcal

BUS STOPS

1363

BUS STOPS

Fruit Punch 225 ml / 108 kcal

2454

BUS STOPS

3 pieces / 180 kcal

4091

Log Cake

1 slice / 387 kcal

9795

Chocolate

2 pieces / 44 kcal

BUS STOPS

1000

Number of steps needed to burn oï¬&#x20AC; calories

BUS STOPS

Equivalent walking distance in bus stops

BUS STOPS